Alexander, a Novel of Utopia

by

Klaus Mann

This book was written in German in 1929 by the son of Thomas Mann, and with an introduction by Jean Cocteau, who was a friend of the illustrious literary family. It has been translated and provided with an English introduction by David Carter.

The character of Alexander of Macedonia, ‘Alexander the Great,’ has fascinated historians and laymen alike through the generations. In his novel Klaus Mann sought to illuminate the character of the individual who led his conquering troops across most of the known (and unknown) world of his time, in his quest to reach ‘the ends of the earth,’ providing psychological insights into his character and motives. The Freudian implications of Alexander’s resentment of his father Philip, combined with his contempt for him and his close relationship with his mother Olympias, cannot be ignored. As presented by Klaus Mann, Alexander’s zeal for conquest was directly allied with the task given to him by his mother.

The language of the book, albeit in translation, is both poetic and hyperbolic, seeking to reflect what was going on in Alexander’s mind as he and his army progressed through Egypt, the Near East and on into the ancient cultures of Babylon and Persia, which he adopted as his own. During his time in India Alexander was influenced by Indian philosophy and practices, which were resented by his Macedonian troops. Nevertheless, Alexander’s youth, energy and physical beauty brought him the loyalty of his troops as well as the allegiance of the peoples he conquered. To this day some Jewish boys are given the name Alexander, echoing the adulation afforded the conqueror by the ancient residents of Judea. And, of course, many of the cities founded by him throughout the region, most notably in Egypt, bear his name. However, after many years of fighting and conquering his troops rebelled, demanding to return home, and it was on this return journey that Alexander fell ill and died.

The novel is presumably based on ancient sources, such as records left by contemporaries, including Aristotle, who was hired by King Philip to tutor his son. However, it is essentially a poetic and emotional study of the trajectory of Alexander’s life and eventual death. Klaus Mann’s interpretation of Alexander’s quest for and attainment of power in the lands he conquered, together with his image of himself as absolute ruler, provides an insight into the workings of the mind of a being whose thirst for fresh conquests could not be slaked. In some respects this could be interpreted as an analogy for the ethos of the Germany of Mann’s time.

As an acknowledged homosexual, Klaus Mann identified with this aspect of Alexander’s character. He certainly portrays Alexander as a complex and powerful individual who, towards the end of his life appears to have become unhinged because of his mania for power. His death is portrayed in a way which would seem to be analogous with – or even presaging – the death of Jesus Christ, and if we accept it in that sense it is as if Klaus Mann has elevated Alexander to the status of a god.

Laugh or Cry?

These days I feel like Alice in Anti-Wonderland, where what seemed impossible yesterday is now happening before my very eyes. I would say ‘Curiouser and Curiouser’ if I could, but I feel more like saying ‘Awfuller and Awfuller.’

Each candidate for a ministerial post in the government that Netanyahu is trying to form seems to be totally unsuited for the positions of responsibility they are about to fulfill. One of them, known for his seditious views and general disregard for the rule of law, is to be appointed Minister of Public Security, giving him control of the police force and other law enforcement bodies. Another, who has very little knowledge of defense matters and did a minimal term of service in the IDF, wants to be Minister of Defence. Netanyahu is holding out against this, but there’s no knowing what the end-result will be.

And now we come to the archetypical ‘fingers-in-the-till’ politician. A man who has even served a prison term for managing to confuse public and private finance to the extent that he and his relatives have ended up owning extensive property all over Israel. Someone somewhere must be having a laugh if they are seriously thinking of appointing him Minister of Finance.

But those are the facts, and the bottom line of these and other similar appointments of politicians whose main objective is to channel public funds towards the constituency that has elected them, trampling roughshod over the principles of democracy, egalitarian distribution of wealth and the rule of law.

I grew up in an orthodox family and was even an active member of Bnei Akiva in my youth, but living in Israel enabled me to identify as Jewish without being hampered by outdated rules and regulations requiring me to behave as if we were still living in the Middle Ages. The sad fact is that the modern world is anathema to the adherents of the ultra-orthodox version of Judaism. But they have now gained the upper hand in the governance of Israel, and the way ahead is looking ever bleaker.

The first sally came from the man who would be Minister of Defense who, in one fell swoop, managed to alienate a large section of the population that probably voted for him. By castigating the tradition of holding soccer games on a Saturday (Shabbat) afternoon he shot a poisoned arrow at the heart of Israel’s secular society. And that was only the beginning. Whether his desire will be achieved remains to be seen, but it is just one symptom of where the new government is headed. Which much-loved tradition will go next? That is anyone’s guess, but it should come as no surprise to anyone when public performances of material that is not in keeping with the ultra-orthodox way of life will be banned. In an attempt to mollify that segment of the population the Egged bus company has already scrapped ads that show scantily-dressed women. It is very possible that soon no female image will be permitted in public places, and the repression of women inherent in orthodox Judaism will prevail throughout the country.

There are parts of some towns in Israel where women are required to walk in an area separate from men. There are buses where women are not allowed to sit in the front seats. Every now and again one hears of orthodox men refusing to sit next to a woman on a plane. Orthodox men won’t shake a relative’s hand if she is a woman because touching a woman is considered to contaminate him. So don’t tell me that the repression of women is not an integral part of the Jewish religion.

If no one puts a stop to it, this government will do its best to take us back into the Dark Ages.

Contrasts

When life seems bleak, music, literature and art provide us with consolation. Thus, it came about that we were able to attend two musical events in one week. What a feast! And what a difference.

The first was an intimate evening provided by our friends and neighbours whose son, Ariel Lanyi, is an internationally acclaimed musician based in London. As he was here on a family visit his parents kindly opened their house (and grand piano) for an evening of virtuoso playing. We were privileged to hear a performance of music by Saint-Saens and Schumann (the latter’s Symphonic Variations), sitting close to the pianist, able to enjoy his intricate fingerwork and brilliant musicianship, to experience the music at close quarters, and afterwards to rub elbows with this talented musician.

The second event was a performance of Offenbach’s opera, ‘Tales of Hoffman,’ given by the Tel Aviv Opera. Why do we go to the opera? In my case, at least, it’s to experience a night of music and drama, a show, a performance, in which consummate artists appear on stage, sing, act, sometimes even dance, and the sum total of talents provides an uplifting experience, sending me out into the night feeling inspired, entertained and perhaps even enlightened.

That, at least, is what I expected. The excitement of the occasion starts even before we enter the auditorium as we sit and enjoy a sandwich and coffee or tea in the café area inside the building. Around us are other opera-goers like ourselves, people of middle age and upwards, middle class, middling appearance, trying to look their best. Observing some of the overweight, ungainly women around us gives me food for thought. I suppose that once they, too, were young and pretty, and now (like me) they are faded and dumpy. But at least we can all still enjoy a night out listening to music and watching a show.

And so it begins. The hushed audience sits expectantly as the curtain goes up to reveal the enormous and intricate monochromatic set which consists of dozens of small showcases displaying a myriad of different objects. So far so good.

The orchestra strikes up and onto the stage surges a crowd of men dressed in black who begin to sing something tuneful and unfamiliar. The ‘Tales of Hoffman’ is based on the concept of the writer, A.T.E. Hoffman, portrayed as a frustrated poet unable to write and constantly falling in love with one or another object of his passion. Admittedly, there’s not much of a narrative flow there, but there is some good music from time to time (the coloratura singing of the mechanical doll, Olympia, in the first act, the Barcarolle at the beginning of the third act, and other pieces, whether choral or solo), but in principle there is scope for interest and enjoyment.

At the back of the complex stage set is inset a rotating room representing Hoffman’s study, and in which the poor principal singer has to sing while being tossed to and fro as it moves. In the second act this becomes a rotating turntable representing a record (‘His Master’s Voice’), and in the third act this is a roulette wheel. A very clever and impressive idea, both in conception and in execution.

Having all the characters, including the women, dressed alike, and all in black, did not help to distinguish between them, and the general idea behind the opera is too abstract and obscure to enable one to follow what plot there is and find it an enjoyable experience.

So by the end of the evening (the performance lasted three hours with two intermissions) I was too exhausted and almost annoyed to find anything positive to say about it. The designer, Stefano Poda, is a world-renowned artist who dictates choreography, costumes, set and movement. My assessment of the performance I saw last week is that his concept is gloomy and depressing. I’m not sure that Offenbach would have approved. I certainly didn’t.

What Lies Ahead

Our fifth general election in four years has just taken place, and the decision appears to be clear. Israel has moved to the right. The parties which espouse limiting the rule of law as delineated by the country’s founding fathers, as well as the practice of restricting fiscal prudence by showering benefits and financial aid on segments of the population which adhere to the unproductive ultra-orthodox way of life, have gained control. In other words, the country is now condemned to a future in which those elements which refuse to do military service, work or pay taxes are to be supported indefinitely by those other elements which do work, pay taxes and serve in the military. One of Binyamin Netanyahu’s promises to the ultra-orthodox parties was to allow them to continue educating their youngsters without providing them with the basic tools that would enble them to eventually find employment, i.e., they will continue to concentrate solely on the study of religious texts. In addition, the right-wing parties which form his coalition proclaim their intention of imposing antiquated religious laws wherever they can, prosecuting homosexuals, deporting dissidents and generally bringing a modern, multicultural society to the brink of mediaeval misery. Shades of Iran.

The result of the election will not affect my generation very much. We older people will probably continue to live much as we have done before – residing in our own home, attending concerts and the theatre and occasionally even going on holiday abroad. What worries me is what will become of our children and grandchildren. They are now condemned to carrying the burden of an ever-growing section of the population which contributes nothing and insists on being supported. There’s no getting away from demography. That segment of the population continues to grow at a disproportionate rate by means of its advocacy of large families, with the average number of children far in excess of that of the general population. What this means for the future of the country is truly horrific.

Some seventy years ago Israel was founded on democratic principles by hard-working, secular and free-thinking people. Although desperately poor, the country accepted destitute Jewish immigrants from all over the world, no matter whence they came – Europe (many of them Holocaust survivors), North Africa, or Asia. The country’s resources were stretched to the limit to provide food and shelter for everyone, as well as to fend off the invading Arab armies, but everyone pitched in, doing their best to accommodate the newcomers. With the passage of time, employment and permanent housing was provided for all, education was made available to everyone, and slowly but surely the country developed, becoming a phenomenon, a shining light of enlightenment and progress. The ultra-orthodox segment, originally a tiny fraction, grew exponentially, gaining political power and demanding (and gaining) an ever-increasing proportion of Israel’s GDP.

Today there is rejoicing in the political parties on the right, including those that are entrenched in religious belief and so far to the nationalist right that they can be considered fascist. This surge in ultra-nationalistic feeling bodes ill for the entire population, and especially for relations with the Arab residents of Israel. It also casts a shadow over developments in the West Bank regarding the indigenous Palestinian population there.

We did our best and turned out to vote for the parties of progress and liberal ideals. But it was not enough. Part of the blame rests with Jews who have chosen not to come and live in Israel, preferring to criticize its politics from the diaspora. Time will tell whether my grim forebodings are justified or not, though I probably won’t be around to see how things turn out.